Has Arsene Wenger really found a new batch of San Siro heroes?

Tuesday 14 February 2012 12:18 BST

Shooting star: Cesc Fabregas scores at AC Milan in 2008 in a match which proved he was going to become a major star

Arsene Wenger continues to fend off criticism of Arsenal's trophy drought by insisting that his team are moving forward and improving each season but tomorrow night's Champions League clash against AC Milan provides an appropriate foundation for comparison.

The Gunners return to Italy nearly four years after one of the finest European nights in their history when they became the first English club to beat Milan in the San Siro with a performance of remarkable maturity and composure.

Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor scored as Arsenal overcame a nervy opening 20 minutes to stamp their authority on the holders and reach the quarter-finals, having been held to a goalless draw at Emirates Stadium in the first leg.

The result ranks among Wenger's finest achievements at the club and, although Milan are not quite the same force these days, a similar outcome tomorrow would exemplify a staggering refusal to accept an ignominious fate that seemed certain after a disastrous start to the season.

Arsenal's resurgence has been far from smooth but this week they returned to the Premier League top four and now have the chance to extend their stay in the Champions League with players coming back from injury at the right time.

But are they really making the progress Wenger claims? The class of 2008 appeared to be ready to conquer the world but victory in Milan came amid a dramatic implosion of their title bid before Liverpool advanced to the semi-finals in Europe on a spectacular night at Anfield.

The component parts were there. Fabregas was developing into a fine midfield talent, with Mathieu Flamini willing and able to provide a defensive platform for the Spaniard to flourish.

Bacary Sagna, William Gallas and Gael Clichy had formed a defensive unit that even the increasingly erratic Philippe Senderos struggled to unhinge, while Emmanuel Adebayor appeared ready to take his place among the goalscoring greats, ably supported by a young Theo Walcott, a versatile Alex Hleb and a gangly utility player named Abou Diaby. It is a testament to the transition Arsenal have undertaken - in some cases voluntary, others not - that only one of the starting XI in 2008 is likely to feature from the outset tomorrow. Indeed, only three of that victorious line-up are still at the club but the lingering sense of unfulfilled potential remains.

Wenger could never have envisaged a side packed with such talent disbanding so quickly without any silverware to show for their endeavours but after Fabregas, Clichy and Samir Nasri departed last summer, it led many to feel the same was happening all over again. But if the decision to commit £15million to securing an unproven 18-year-old while hastily arranging the signings of five other players in the final throes of the summer window was questionable, this is a stern test - Milan are not the side of old but they do top Serie A.

Arsenal have had time to come together as a team and, with defenders finally returning from injury, Wenger's squad can now purposefully be assessed.

The ongoing anomaly is the absence of Jack Wilshere, Arsenal's best midfielder and quite possibly the presence Wenger misses the most.

Possession is such an important factor in Europe and Wilshere's ball retention, allied with an ability to turn defence into attack, is a huge loss. The 2008 incarnation had their own huge absence to overcome given all-time club record goalscorer Thierry Henry's departure in the previous summer yet they dominated Carlo Ancelotti's Milan.

Gallas, Fabregas and Adebayor created a formidable spine that the modern day Arsenal struggle to replicate. Thomas Vermaelen, Wilshere and Robin van Persie would theoretically have plenty going for them but the trio have not yet been fit together for long enough to justify comparison.

Adebayor was prolific in 2008 but Van Persie continues to break records in startling fashion.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is now probably about where Walcott was four years ago and there is something about potential; it always evokes greater hope than another more exposed.

Comparisons such as these are always arbitrary but the ratings suggest that Arsenal's current crop have a few points to find if they are to match the result from four years ago.

Mental strength is a choice phrase of Wenger's and, while his team displayed that in abundance on their last visit to the San Siro, Gallas's implosion in a League game at Birmingham became the defining moment of that team.

This Arsenal side have already encountered much tumult - the chance to grasp a moment to define them in a more positive light awaits.

The ghost of Gunners past...

Standard Sport's Chief Football Correspondent James Olley pits the class of 2012 against the last Arsenal team to play - and beat - the Italian giants

Arsenal at AC Milan in 2008

Manuel AlmuniaArsenal No1 at the time, though lacked consistency after replacing Jens Lehmann earlier in the 2007-08 season. A fine shot stopper but lacked commanding presence - and subsequently lost confidence. 6/10

Bacary SagnaJoined from Auxerre the previous summer and enhanced his reputation by showing courage to play in the San Siro just a week after his older brother, Omar, died aged 28. Named in PFA Team of the Year in 2008 to underline influence. 8/10

Philippe SenderosFine early form gave way to alarming concentration lapses and bad errors. Became a defensive liability and went to Milan on a season-long loan in the summer of 2008 with his reputation shattered. 5/10

William GallasSuperb player, disastrous captain. This game came less than two weeks after his petulance at Birmingham came to symbolise Arsenal's mental shortcomings. But an immense presence and one of the club's best defenders since the famous back four of the 1990s. 9/10

Gael ClichyAt the peak of his powers in 2008. Appeared in more matches than any Arsenal player that season with excellent blend of attacking endeavour and defensive resilience. Declined badly in subsequent years but judged at the time, a major force. 8/10

Emmanuel EboueMoved from right-back after arrival of Sagna and could be hugely effective or incredibly frustrating. Fell in and out of love with the club's fans after this game but always committed and his versatility was an important attribute. 7/10

Cesc FabregasDeveloped into one of the world's finest midfielders and his performance in dominating Kaka was a coming-of-age display. Scored a superb goal and became the club's talisman before returning to spiritual home Barcelona last summer. 9/10

Mathieu FlaminiUsed all over the place - often at full-back - before establishing himself as a defensive midfielder. Worked well in tandem with Fabregas in the San Siro and although sometimes too unassuming against the best sides, he was great that night. 8/10

Abou DiabyA career ravaged by injury and an inability to excel in any position. A left-winger on this occasion, he performed well enough against Milan but his most memorable contribution in an Arsenal shirt is still kicking John Terry in the face. 5/10

Alex HlebCapable of playing on either flank or behind the strikers, his career suffered badly after leaving Arsenal. Form was good enough to convince Barcelona to take him in 2008 so should be judged on those terms. 8/10

Emmanuel AdebayorA world-beater when he could be bothered. The 2007-08 season was the striker's finest to date - scoring 29 goals - and although he spent the following campaign sulking at being denied a move, nights like this showed him in his best light. 9/10

Total: 82/110

Arsenal at AC Milan in 2012

Wojciech SzczesnySolved a goalkeeping problem that had consumed Arsenal for too long. Authoritative beyond his years, Szczesny has the character, temperament and quality to succeed at the highest level. 7/10

Bacary SagnaThe biggest compliment to his importance is the struggles that exist at right-back when Sagna is absent. The Frenchman has developed into one of the league's finest full-backs who rarely makes mistakes. 8/10

Laurent KoscielnyBecoming a fine defender as he adapts to English football. Lacked the physical presence required initially but is looking increasingly assured more often than not, although remains capable of the odd dozy display. 7/10

Thomas VermaelenArsenal's best defender, albeit playing out of position at left-back due to injuries to others. Strong defensively and good on the ball, Vermaelen is also capable of scoring from distance and adding another dimension to the attack. 8/10

Kieran GibbsAnother with potential but injuries have denied him the chance to build on it. Would be a big ask to start given he last played in October but would provide better balance and Vermaelen is needed at centre-back after Per Mertersacker's injury. 6/10

Alex SongThe only player at the club readily identifiable as a holding midfielder. A cast-iron certainty to get booked in almost every game, Song is combative and resilient if occasionally unhinged by the movement of the very best players. 7/10

Mikel ArtetaEfficient in possession, Arteta sets the tempo for Arsenal displays. Has adapted to a more disciplined role but can he dictate the big games? The feeling remains, albeit a harsh one, that he is Fabregas-lite, unable to provide the same star quality. 6/10

Theo WalcottMany Arsenal fans have lost patience with Walcott and their ammunition comes from a number of displays featuring inexplicable decisions from a professional footballer. However, he has had several good link-ups with Van Persie and is only 22. 5/10

Aaron RamseyPlayed further forward after Fabregas' departure, it is too early to judge Ramsey given this is his first proper season since breaking his leg at Stoke in 2010. Some fine displays have been punctuated by occasions when he has struggled to impose himself. 6/10

Alex Oxlade-ChamberlainCould be anything but definitely looks something. Forced his way ahead of Andrey Arshavin with several encouraging performances full of pace and invention. Huge potential but at 18 is a raw prospect. 7/10

Robin van PersieRubbish (only joking). Quite simply the finest striker in the League and one of the best in the world. Scored 22 goals in 24 League games and frightening to think where Arsenal would be without him. 10/10